Biographical Information - The Old AF Sarge

Born in 1953, I'm a native Vermonter. Though if you've been reading the blog for any length of time, you'll know I now live in Rhode Island. Little Rhody as I like to call it.

Spent 24 years in the United States Air Force, eventually rising to the lofty station of Master Sergeant (E-7).

Now I say lofty because it was the last Air Force enlisted rank which you were promoted to based on your test scores in both your specialty (actual job) and in general Air Force knowledge. Of course, one's annual performance evaluations, awards and decorations also played a role.

But to be promoted to the enlisted ranks above Master Sergeant (Senior Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant) required a certain amount of political acumen.

A trait I do not possess in any sort of measurable quantity. In fact, the guys at my current job claim that I have no filter. No filter at all. I speak my mind. I calls 'em as I sees 'em!

Needless to say, as a Master Sergeant I was happy.

For my first 8 years or so, I was an aircraft maintenance guy, specifically a Weapons Control Systems maintenance technician on the F-4C and F-4D Phantom. After that, the Air Force sent me off to college where I learned the ins and outs of computers. Some skills that I still find useful in my civilian gig.

For I could not stay in the Air Force forever. So in the last year of the nineties I retired. And (as we used to say) got a "real job". Well, the new gig does pay better. If it ain't all that glorious, at least it pays the bills!

Over the years I acquired a wife, three kids, two kid-in-laws and three four grandchildren. And we're on our second set of cats. Anya and Sasha. My buddies.

That's my story. Tuna has his own. He's a retired Naval officer. Yup, an Air Force enlisted guy and an aquatic ossifer type. What a combo we make!

And now there's Juvat. An old F-4 and F-15 driver. (Well, I'm sure he's not that old. Younger than me no doubt!)

So now that's two ossifers (one aquatic, one aerial) and one enlisted. Seems an odd combination. I am starting to feel outnumbered.